CA2733913A1 - Traction device for footwear - Google Patents

Traction device for footwear Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2733913A1
CA2733913A1 CA2733913A CA2733913A CA2733913A1 CA 2733913 A1 CA2733913 A1 CA 2733913A1 CA 2733913 A CA2733913 A CA 2733913A CA 2733913 A CA2733913 A CA 2733913A CA 2733913 A1 CA2733913 A1 CA 2733913A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
traction device
pod member
outer peripheral
peripheral band
heel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA2733913A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
J. Steven Couder
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Implus Footcare LLC
Original Assignee
Implus Footcare LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Implus Footcare LLC filed Critical Implus Footcare LLC
Publication of CA2733913A1 publication Critical patent/CA2733913A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43CFASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
    • A43C15/00Non-skid devices or attachments
    • A43C15/02Non-skid devices or attachments attached to the sole

Abstract

A removable traction device (10) for wearing over an article of footwear includes an outer peripheral band (12), a forefoot pod member (14) disposed interior of the outer peripheral band, a heel pod member (16) disposed interior of the outer peripheral band, and a plurality of resilient connectin strands (18) extending between the forefoot pod member and the outer peripheral band and between the heel pod member and the outer peripheral band, thereby connecting the forefoot pod member and heel pod member to the outer peripheral band. According to one aspect of the invention, at least some of the connecting strands define a non-linear configuration.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the forefoot pod member and heel pod member include a ground-engaging outsole surface (20) having a non-slip tread configuration (28) and the forefoot pod member and heel pod member further include a footwear engaging surface (26) having an anti-fatigue tread (30) configuration.

Description

TRACTION DEVICE FOR FOOTWEAR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[00011 The present invention is directed to a traction device for footwear, and more particularly, to a removable traction device intended to be worn over a conventional shoe or boot to improve traction for the wearer when traversing potentially slick or slippery surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[00021 Many type of conventional footwear, including dress shoes, work boots and even athletic shoes, may not provide adequate traction for the wearer on certain types of slippery or wet surfaces. Hence, in attempting to traverse such a slippery or wet surface, injury may occur.
[00031 According to recent statistics, falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States, with work related injuries costing over $131.2 Billion. Thus, due to the increase in slip-and-fall claims against employers and other business establishments, the market for indoor traction devices in rapidly increasing. Examples of potential markets for such a traction device include custodial businesses, warehouses, fast food chain restaurants and car washes, for example. Currently on the market to meet this demand are several non-slip footwear designs. Such traction devices intended to be worn over an article of footwear, however, tend to be cumbersome, difficult to attach to the footwear, and unreliable in their ability to remain in place on the footwear. Thus, employee compliance in wearing over the shoe traction devices, even when available, is reduced. Rubber matting, which also serves an anti-fatigue purpose for employees that must do a substantial amount of standing, can also be installed over the entire at-risk area, but is generally cost prohibitive.
[00041 Due to the high cost and unsuccessful use of both non-slip footwear and rubber matting, businesses are looking for cost effective alternatives that will appeal to employees, thereby increasing utilization of the same. It would thus be desirable to provide user friendly non-slip footwear that is economical, adaptable to a variety of footwear, and which also addresses the issue of anti-fatigue comfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00051 These and other objects are achieved by the removable traction device of the present invention. According to one aspect of the invention, the traction device includes an outer peripheral band, a forefoot pod member disposed interior of the outer peripheral band, a heel pod member disposed interior of the outer peripheral band, and a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between the forefoot pod member and the outer peripheral band and between the heel pod member and the outer peripheral band, thereby connecting the forefoot pod member and heel pod member to the outer peripheral band. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least some of the connecting strands define a non-linear configuration.
[00061 In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a removable traction device is provided for wearing over an article of footwear, the article of footwear having a toe portion, a heel portion and opposing side portions. The traction device includes an outer peripheral band, a forefoot pod member disposed interior of the outer peripheral band, a heel pod member disposed interior of the outer peripheral band, and a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between the forefoot pod member and the outer peripheral band and between the heel pod member and the outer peripheral band, thereby connecting the forefoot pod member and heel pod member to the outer peripheral band. In a preferred embodiment, the forefoot pod member and heel pod member include a ground-engaging outsole surface having a non-slip tread pattern and the forefoot pod member and heel pod member also include an opposing footwear engaging surface having an anti-fatigue tread configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[00071 These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a bottom rear perspective view of a traction device for footwear according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a bottom front perspective view of the traction device shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top rear perspective view of the traction device shown in FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top front perspective view of the traction device shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the traction device shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the traction device shown in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the traction device shown in FIG.

when worn over a conventional article of footwear.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the traction device shown in FIG. 1 when worn over a conventional article of footwear.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 - 6, a traction device for footwear in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally by reference numeral 10. Traction device 10 is a generally planar device including an outer peripheral band 12, a forefoot pod or portion 14, a heel pod or portion 16, and a plurality of resilient connecting strands 18, all of which are preferably molded as an integral or one-piece member. The traction device is preferably formed (e.g., molded) from a flexible and resilient elastomeric material, e.g., rubber, PVC, rubber, etc., that is slip and oil resistant. As described in detail below, the outer peripheral band 12 can adapt to the shape of different footwear such that the traction device 10 can be easily stretched by a wearer into a non-planar shape for removably mounting the traction device over an article of footwear.
[0017] The traction device 10 includes a lower surface 20 intended to face towards the slick or slippery ground surface when worn and an upper surface 22 intended to face towards the article of footwear over which the traction 10 is worn. Thus, the lower surfaces of both the forefoot pod 14 and the heel pod 16 have a ground engaging outsole 24 utilizing a non-slip tread design 28 such as, preferably, a plurality of cylindrical elements 32, nubs, or other projecting types of cleats, similar to that found on various athletic shoes, or any other type of non-slip tread pattern or configuration. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper surfaces of both the forefoot pod 14 and the heel pod 16 have a footwear engaging surface including an anti-fatigue tread 30, such as a herringbone pattern 34, although other tread configurations for helping to reduce foot fatigue from standing are of course also possible. The ground engaging outsole surfaces 24 of the forefoot pod and heel pod 14, 16 may be constructed so that they are identical or different from the footwear engaging surfaces 26, depending upon the desired application for the traction device 10. Still further, the forefoot pod 14 and the heel pod 16 may have different tread configurations on the ground engaging outsole surface and/or the footwear engaging surface 26 depending on the desired type of traction to be provided.
[00181 The outer peripheral band 12 has a planar, approximately oval shape with a generally rounded front or toe section 12a, a generally rounded rear or heel section 12b, and two generally linear side sections 12c and 12d interconnecting the toe and heel sections 12a and 12b. The toe section 12a is preferably tapered so as to prevent the toe from catching and causing the wearer to trip and/or fall. The heel section 12b preferably includes a slight extension defining a heel tab 36 to assist the user in donning the traction device 10 over a conventional article of footwear, as described further below.
[00191 The plurality of connecting strands 18 include single strand elements preferably connecting the side and/or middle portions of the forefoot pod 14 and heel pod 16 to the peripheral band 12, and compound strand elements 40 preferably connecting the front of the forefoot pod 14 and the rear of the heel pod 16 to the peripheral band 12. More particularly, the forefoot pod 14 preferably includes two forward strand elements 38a, one connecting each lateral side of the forefoot pod 14 to the peripheral band 12, and two rearward strand elements 38b, one connecting each rearmost corner of the forefoot pod 14 to the peripheral band 12. The heel pod 16 preferably includes two forward strand elements 38c, one connecting each forwardmost corner of the heel pod 16 to the peripheral band 12. The single strands 38b, 38c preferably have a somewhat non-linear or serpentine configuration, as shown for example in FIGS. 5 and 6, so as to permit stretching between the forefoot pod 14 and the heel pod 16 when the traction device 10 is worn. That is, it is preferable for the forefoot pod 14 to be disposed beneath the forefoot of the wearer's foot and for the heel pod 16 to be disposed beneath the heel of the wearer's foot. In 5 order for this self-positioning to occur, the strands 38a, 38b, 38c are specifically dimensioned so as to allow for greater stretch, i.e., elongation, in the longitudinal direction between the forefoot pod and the heel pod. The traction device 10 is dimensioned such that, coupled with the fact that the material forming the peripheral band is resilient, the non-linear strands enable the band 12 to be easily stretched for accommodating a variety of sizes of footwear, preferably anywhere from a Woman's size 6 to a Men's size 13.
[00201 The compound strand elements 40 preferably connect the front of the forefoot pod 14 and the rear of the heel pod 16 to the peripheral band 12 through an open network of serpentine, arcuate, and straight strands. More particularly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, an arcuate strand 40a is disposed intermittent a plurality of serpentine strands 40b and straight strands 40c so as to form a framework with a plurality of openings 42, thereby reducing production costs and the overall weight of the traction device 10. Other configurations for the compound strand elements are of course also possible, as one skilled in the art would readily appreciate.
[00211 Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 8, traction device 10 is illustrated as it is intended to be worn over an article of footwear 44. As generally shown, the outer peripheral band 12 is stretched so as to surround the toe, side portions, and heel of the article of footwear 44. That is, the rounded front or toe section 12a is stretched over the toe portion of the footwear 44, the generally rounded rear section 12b is stretched over the heel portion of the footwear 44, with the assistance of heel tab 36, and the two generally linear side sections 12c,12d extend along the sides of the upper of the footwear 44, thereby encircling the same. In addition, the serpentine single strand elements 38b, 38c become substantially straight due to the additional elongation required to properly position the forefoot pod 14 and heel pod 16 relative to the forefoot and heel of the footwear 44, and thus the wearer's feet.
[00221 While the present invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment of the present invention, this is by way of illustration for purposes of disclosure rather than to confine the invention to any specific arrangement as there are various alterations, changes, deviations, eliminations, substitutions, omissions and departures which may be made in the particular embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

1. A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear, said traction device comprising:
an outer peripheral band;
a forefoot pod member disposed interior of said outer peripheral band;
a heel pod member disposed interior of said outer peripheral band; and a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between said forefoot pod member and said outer peripheral band and between said heel pod member and said outer peripheral band, thereby connecting said forefoot pod member and heel pod member to said outer peripheral band;
wherein at least some of said connecting strands define a non-linear configuration.
2. The traction device according to claim 1, wherein said at least some connecting strands define a serpentine configuration.
3. The traction device according to claim 1, wherein said forefoot pod member and said heel pod member include a ground-engaging outsole surface having a non-slip tread configuration.
4. The traction device according to claim 3, wherein said ground-engaging outsole includes a plurality of cylindrical elements.
5. The traction device according to claim 1, wherein said forefoot pod member and said heel pod member include a footwear engaging surface.
6. The traction device according to claim 5, wherein said footwear engaging surface includes an anti-fatigue tread configuration.
7. The traction device according to claim 6, wherein said anti-fatigue tread configuration defines a herringbone tread pattern.
8 8. The traction device according to claim 1, wherein said at least some of said connecting strands defining a non-linear configuration include a plurality of single strand elements.
9. The traction device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of connecting strands includes a plurality of compound strand elements.
10. The traction device according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of compound strand elements define an open network of serpentine, arcuate, and straight connecting members.
11. The traction device according to claim 1, wherein said traction device is formed from an elastomeric material.
12. A removable traction device for wearing over an article of footwear, the article of footwear having a toe portion, a heel portion and opposing side portions, traction device comprising:
an outer peripheral band;
a forefoot pod member disposed interior of said outer peripheral band;
a heel pod member disposed interior of said outer peripheral band; and a plurality of resilient connecting strands extending between said forefoot pod member and said outer peripheral band and between said heel pod member and said outer peripheral band, thereby connecting said forefoot pod member and heel pod member to said outer peripheral band;
wherein said forefoot pod member and said heel pod member include a ground-engaging outsole surface having a non-slip tread configuration; and wherein said forefoot pod member and said heel pod member include a footwear engaging surface having an anti-fatigue tread configuration.
13. The traction device according to claim 12, wherein said ground-engaging outsole surface defines a plurality of cylindrical elements.
14. The traction device according to claim 12, wherein said anti-fatigue tread configuration includes a herringbone tread pattern.
15. The traction device according to claim 12, wherein said traction device is formed from an elastomeric material.
16. The traction device according to claim 12, wherein said outer peripheral band is stretchable so as to surround the toe portion, heel portion and opposing side portions of the article of footwear.
CA2733913A 2008-09-08 2009-09-03 Traction device for footwear Abandoned CA2733913A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/206,360 US20100058615A1 (en) 2008-09-08 2008-09-08 Traction control device
US12/206,360 2008-09-08
PCT/US2009/004960 WO2010027465A1 (en) 2008-09-08 2009-09-03 Traction device for footwear

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2733913A1 true CA2733913A1 (en) 2010-03-11

Family

ID=41394096

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2733913A Abandoned CA2733913A1 (en) 2008-09-08 2009-09-03 Traction device for footwear

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20100058615A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2341790A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2012501722A (en)
CA (1) CA2733913A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2010027465A1 (en)

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US8935861B2 (en) * 2009-08-14 2015-01-20 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear accommodating different foot sizes
US20130118036A1 (en) * 2011-11-10 2013-05-16 Deckers Outdoor Corporation Footwear outsole inlcuding gripping tread
US8991069B2 (en) 2012-05-18 2015-03-31 Implus Footcare, Llc Traction device for footwear
US20140230283A1 (en) * 2013-02-19 2014-08-21 Paddy Pablo Cordova Athletes footwear
GB2513601A (en) * 2013-04-30 2014-11-05 Steven Alexander Pearce Traction augmentation devices for shoes, hoofs and wheels
EP2893827B1 (en) * 2013-12-17 2020-05-27 Kahtoola, Inc. Footwear traction devices and systems and mechanisms for making durable connections to soft body materials
US10271609B2 (en) * 2017-04-04 2019-04-30 Step In LLC Step-on shoe cover and method of use thereof
IT201900004123A1 (en) * 2019-03-21 2020-09-21 Leonardo Iantomasi Non-slip snow sole
US11684123B2 (en) 2019-12-01 2023-06-27 Kahtoola, Inc. Footwear traction device and method of using the same
USD931583S1 (en) * 2020-03-09 2021-09-28 Nike, Inc. Shoe
USD932159S1 (en) * 2020-03-13 2021-10-05 Nike, Inc. Shoe
USD938704S1 (en) * 2020-04-03 2021-12-21 Nike, Inc. Shoe

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FR1522742A (en) * 1966-05-18 1968-04-26 Non-slip shoe accessory
US5992053A (en) * 1990-11-21 1999-11-30 Hansen; Ross Detachable, cleated outer sole
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EP1715769B1 (en) * 2004-02-18 2017-04-05 Sure Foot Corporation Anti-slip overshoe
US7461467B2 (en) * 2004-10-14 2008-12-09 Wookyung Tech Co., Ltd. Safety crampon with generality put on
US20070113424A1 (en) * 2005-11-23 2007-05-24 Michael Bell Overshoes with raised inner surface portions and slip resistant sole portions for use on primary footwear
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USD576397S1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2008-09-09 Implus Footcare, Llc Traction control device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2012501722A (en) 2012-01-26
EP2341790A1 (en) 2011-07-13
US20100058615A1 (en) 2010-03-11
WO2010027465A1 (en) 2010-03-11

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20140903